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House of Assembly - Fifty-Fifth Parliament, First Session (55-1)
2023-11-15 Daily Xml
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Illuminate Adelaide

Ms STINSON (Badcoe) (14:53): My question is to the Minister for Tourism. Can the minister provide an update about Illuminate?

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON (Ramsay—Minister for Tourism, Minister for Multicultural Affairs) (14:54): I thank the member for Badcoe for her question. We have another successful winter under our belts with data showing that Adelaide is the place to be in winter. We know that Illuminate has made South Australians think differently about winter, and I am pleased to inform the house that Illuminate Adelaide is also turning heads nationally and internationally.

Results shared with me this week show an incredible $54.3 million in economic activity generated by this event, filling our city's restaurants, bars and hotels in what is traditionally our quieter winter month. Illuminate Adelaide welcomed 1.3 million attendances across their program of free and ticketed events, with nearly 66,000 of those from interstate and overseas. We know that it is wonderful for drawing people into the city at night-time, but particularly because it encourages more people to come into the city and to stay. This year's event generated 34,000 visitor nights, contributing to the 14 straight months of record-breaking hotel occupancy.

Around the world people are talking about Illuminate Adelaide, with Creative Director Rachael Azzopardi being invited to Fete des Lumieres in Lyon, the Festival of Lights, in France to speak about South Australia as an internationally recognised festival capital. Only recently, she was invited to speak at the International Garden Tourism Conference, with festival partners Moment Factory, at a session called 'The Pleasure Garden: the garden as a stage for cultural, art and social activities, exhibitions and events'. Closer to home, national reviews of Illuminate have also been glowing, with the Australian Financial Review writing:

South Australia's capital is no longer just a 'city of churches'. Illuminate Adelaide reflects its transformation into a modern groundbreaking destination.

Surveys of visitors taken throughout the event found that 93 per cent would recommend Illuminate Adelaide and 83 per cent of visitors would visit South Australia again because of their great experience at that event. We know that the value of major events can be seen through the whole community, and as a government we certainly know the value of events and festivals. We understand not just the economic impact of events like this but also the value of events to our state of mind, to our wellbeing and our connection to each other.

South Australia has always been known as the Festival State, but at no time in history has this been more true than now. It is no longer just Mad March. This government has invested in growing our economy, supporting small business and reminding South Australians and the world why we are a destination like no other, a great place to visit and an even greater place to love.

In the near future, I will be making an announcement about our ongoing relationship with Illuminate, which has become a real fixture of our winter months. People are prepared to put on a coat and a beanie, they are prepared to come into the city at night to witness this wonderful connection of light, art, music and technology. I look forward to it coming more and more in the years to come.

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